The European Development Fund (EDF) is the major vehicle for development cooperation between the European Union (EU) and the 77 states that make up the African, Caribbean and Pacific group (ACP). The EDF is managed by the European Commission. The National Authorising Officer (NAO) who is the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance is the Government representative responsible for dealing with all operations funded from the EDF.

To carry out his functions, the NAO is supported by an Office, comprising a number of professionals and support staff. The Office of the NAO (ONAO) operates as a unit within the External Finance department of the Ministry of Finance.

In line with the Cotonou Agreement, the Government of Tanzania and the European Commission prepared the EC National Indicative Programme for the period 2008-2013 in close consultation with both non-state actors (NSAs) and Development Partners, notably EU Member States. The Government of Tanzania has also been associated with the Joint Programming Document which it has strongly welcomed as the basis of individual country assistance strategies.

The indicative allocation of programmable resources is €555 million

The indicative value of the B envelope has been set at €10.1 million